PAPERCUTS - Can't go back (2007)

Review
· Ruben_James
· 02/20/2007

I’ll be the first one to admit that I often fall victim to the “it grows on you” album. I can be an impatient man—especially when it comes to music. There is so much out there to listen to. And mama didn’t raise no freeloader—I buy my music after what I consider to be thorough pre-record-shop research. This little bit of legwork usually pays off and I rarely pick up a record based on snazzy artwork, snobby store clerk approval, or declaration of the second coming from the equally snobby leading indie rock website. A few months ago I heard a couple of MP3’s from Papercuts’ debut album Mockingbird. I was pretty much floored—in particular, the track “Poor and Free” MP3. Fuuuuuuudge… What a lazy psychedelic masterpiece! Mockingbird went on a long list of records I needed to own. Much to my chagrin, my local record shops didn’t have it in stock and didn’t seem too enthused about doing so—too busy listening to TV on the Radio or some shit. Fast-forward a month: I hear news of a new Papercuts album coming out on Gnomonsong—the Devendra/Vetiver curated label with a bright future. Now, I’m not sure Devendra and I see eye to eye, but that Andy Cabic obviously listens to some great music—at least judging from his incredible last album To Find Me Gone. Anyway… great news! Soon enough, Discollective featured the track “John Brown” MP3 from the forthcoming Can't Go Back. It was another jaw-dropping moment of pure musical gratification. Like some forgotten work of psych pop genius, “John Brown” is flawless. I knew then that this album would be the analog warmth I’d been searching for in these cold early months of some decent—but somewhat icy and mechanical—indie rock releases. I have to be honest: I was slightly underwhelmed after my first listen. I was even mildly let down after my second listen. And now, after my 227th listen I have no idea WTF I was thinking. I guess it just “grows on you.” The thing was that there were no more “John Brown”s. But, how could there be? A Thanksgiving table can only have one centerpiece. But, what’s the centerpiece without those mashed potatoes or Gramm’s rolls? Not following? Okay, plain and simple: All the songs on this record are remarkable and they depend on each other to create an overall ambience of awesomeness! “Dear Employee” opens the album with Jason Quever stepping into the role of a shitty boss—slightly reminiscent of Belle & Sebastian’s “Step Into My Office, Baby,” but only in subject matter. A chugging acoustic guitar simmers under cello, organ, and Moe Tucker-style drums as Quever spits, “Bring me my papers / Bring me my coffee / Pick up your check and go / You’re just my employee now.” Following “John Brown,” “Summer Long” and “Unavailable” float on gentle mid-sixties psychedelic balladry. “Take The 227th Exit” wraps up act-one in the music hall style of the Beatles or Kinks. If CD’s had B-sides, I’m assuming “Outside Looking In” would lead into it. Andy Cabic lends backing vocals to this fairly Blonde on Blonde sounding track—bluesy lead guitar and bouncing upright piano. The droning hazy pop of organ-heavy “Sandy” gives way to guitar chords akin to the acoustic side of Led Zeppelin in “Just Another Thing To Dust” until the most psychedelic track on the album, “Found Bird,” bursts through in the fever-dream form of a marching band on barbiturates. Cabic lends vocals again on album closer “The World I Love”—a great closing anthem of piano pop that ends this affair on a positive note. Jason Quever has assembled a wonderfully coherent album out of the remnants of the last fifty years of pop music. Influences are easy to spot, but these songs are never cheap knock-offs. Overall, Quever seems to be under the influence of not any particular few bands but a decade—the 60’s, and he would have been a star in them. I still have no idea why Can’t Go Back was one of those “it grows on you” albums for me—but I’m glad it did.

Tracks:1. Dear Employee 2. John Brown 3. Summer Long 4. Unavailable 5. Take the 227th Exit 6. Outside Looking In 7. Sandy 8. Just Another Thing to Dust 9. Found Bird 10. World I Love

Musicians:
Jason Robert Quever (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Etc...), Andy Cabic (Vocals), Alex deLanda (Bass), David Enos (Organ, Vocals), John Herbinson (Vocals), Dana Laman (Vocals), Shayde Sartin (Bass), Matt Stromberg (Drums)

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